Springless adjustable ring guard



July 7, 1970 J. H. BOENING 3,518,843

SPRINGLESS ADJUSTABLE RING GUARD v Fil ed Jan. 26, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOHN H. B0/V//V6 July 7, 1970 J. H. BOENING 3,513,843

- SPRINGLESS ADJUSTABLE RING GUARD Filed Jan. 26, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOHN H'. BOENING United States Patent M 3,518,843 SPRINGLESS ADJUSTABLE RING GUARD John H. Bocning, 306 S. Main St., Frankenmuth, Mich. 48734 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 610,311, Jan. 19, 1967. This application Jan. 26, 1968, Ser.

Int. Cl. A44c 9/02 US. Cl. 63-15.6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE -A ring guard having an arcuate channel receiving a finger ring loop and an arcuate clamp member accommodated in the channel and in the clamping engagement with the ring loop, the channel having a flange adapted to be accommodated with the ring loop so as to reduce the normal size of the finger ring.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 610,311, filed Ian. 19, 1967, now abandoned.

This invention relates to ring guards adapted for use in conjunction with one or more finger rings and operable to reduce the normal size of the ring or rings, and more particularly to a ring guard which may be assembled with a ring when the latter is on the wearers finger and Without resort to the use of spring devices.

There are many instances in which the size of a finger ring must be reduced in order to permit the ring to be worn comfortably and properly Without the risk of loss. For example, a ring capable of passing over an enlarged knuckle on the ring finger frequently results in such looseness of the ring on the finger that the ring may turn on the finger. If the ring mounts a diamond or other gem, the tendency of the ring to turn on the finger results in an unattractive appearance and, in addition, may result in the gems being turned to such a position as to cause discomfort or injury to the wearer, as well as risking the possibility that the gem will be caught on objects such as door handles or the like, and be lost or defaced. In addition, the looseness of a ring of suflicient size to pass over an enlarged knuckle may result in unnoticed and inadvertent loss of the ring from the finger.

The problems attendant such oversize or ill-fitting rings have been recognized heretofore and various attempts have been made to overcome them. In most, if not all, instances, however, the known proposals involve the assembly of resilient or springy devices with the ring prior to placing the ring on the wearers finger. The resilient devices tend to decrease the size of the ring, but are yieldable so as to enable the assembly of the ring and the retaining device to pass over the wearers knuckle. Although such devices are practical in theory, they have a large number of disadvantages.

One disadvantage of resilient retaining devices is that they necessarily are made rather fragile so as to avoid appearing too cumbersome, but the fragility of such devices leads to their destruction following repeated removal of the ring from and application to the wearers finger. Another disadvantage of known retaining devices is that they frequently have protruding surfaces which can snag clothing, catch on articles grasped by the hand and result in serious injury to the wearer or irreparable damage to the ring. Still a further disadvantage of known retaining devices is that they fit within the ring and therefore are incapable of protecting the ring against the greater wear to which an oversize ring is subjected.

3,518,843 Patented July 7, 1970 An object of this invention is to provide a ring guard assembly which substantially overcomes the disadvantages referred to above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ring guard which is capable of use on more than a single size ring and which is capable of being utilized in conjunction with either one or a plurality of rings.

A further object of the invention is to provide a ring guard which may be assembled with and disassembled from one or more rings while the latter are in place on the wearers finger.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ring guard which dispenses with the necessity of resilient or springy retaining devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ring guard which minimizes the risk that the guard device may snag articles of clothing or catch on articles grasped by the wearers hand.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description when it is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a ring guard device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view illustrating the guard device applied to a finger ring;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating a guard device applied to two rings;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating a modified embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the guard shown in FIG. 5 and applied to a single ring;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but illustrating a guard applied to two rings;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a part of a modified guard;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a ring equipped with a guard like that shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the device applied to two rings.

A ring guard device constructed in accordance with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3 is adapted for use in conjunction with a conventional ring 1 having a closed, finger-encircling loop 2 and a stone 3 or other gem, emblem, or the like, or, if desired, the ring 1 may comprise a simple loop or band.

The ring guard disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a receiving member 4 of substantially channel-shaped cross section and arcuate in configuration. The receiver member comprises a radially inner flange 5 and a radially outer flange 6, the flanges being joined by a flat web 7. The outer flange 6 preferably has a radius corresponding substantially to the outside radius of the finger loop 2 of the ring 1, but the flange 5 is formed to a larger radius. The construction is such that when the finger loop 2 is received between the flanges 5 and 6 the inner flange 5 materially reduces the effective size of the loop 2. The formation of the flanges 5 and 6 in the manner described also causes the terminal ends 8 of the flange 5 to taper toward the flange 6 or, stated differently, the space between the flanges 5 and6 adjacent the terminal ends of the flange 5 is less than the space between the flanges 5 and 6 elsewhere.

Forming part of the ring guard is a clamp member 9 which is arcuate in configuration and substantially L- shaped in cross-section. The clamp member 9 comprises right-angular flanges and 11. The terminal ends of the flange 10 are smoothly rounded as at 12 and the terminal ends of the flange 11 also are smoothly rounded as at 13 to avoid any sharp edges. The flange 10 preferably is provided with a plurality of longitudinal extending, parallel grooves or scores 14 which weaken the flange 10 for a purpose presently to be explained. Between its terminal ends 12 the width of the flange 10 is at least as great as the width of the flange 5, and the width of the flange 11 corresponds substantially to but is slightly less than the distance between the flanges 5 and 6. The free edge of the flange 11 has a radius corresponding substantially to the radius of the flange 6 of the receiver 4.

Means is provided for anchoring the members 4 and 9 in assembled relation on one or more finger rings and comprises a threaded, nut-like member carried by the flange 11 on its inner surface and substantially midway between the ends 13. The nut is adapted to receive a headed screw 16 which passes through an opening 17 formed in the web 7 in alignment with the member 15. If desired, the flange 11 also may have an opening in alignment with the opening through the nut member 15 so as to enable the screw 16 to project through the flange 11. It will be understood that the nut 15 could be secured to the web 7 of the member 4, rather than to the flange 11, and that the latter may be provided with the screwaccommodating opening.

To assemble the guard device on the ring 1, the loop 2 is placed within the receiver member 4 and with the outer surface of the loop seated on the inner surface of the flange 6. Should the thickness of the loop 2 be too great to pass between the flanges 5 and 6 at the terminal ends 8 thereof, the end portions of the flanges 5 and 6 and the web 7 may be cut or filed by a jeweler so as to provide additional space between the flanges 5 and 6. With the finger loop 2 received in the receiver member 4, the flange 10 of the clamp member 9 is inserted in the receiver member so as to nest with the flange 5 and with the edge of the flange 10 abutting the inner surface of the web 7. If, in these positions of the parts, the flange 11 lies beyond the plane of the edges of the flanges 5 and 6, the clamp member 9 may be removed from the receiver member and the flange 10 reduced in width by breaking the latter along the appropriate score line 14. When the width of the flange 10 has been reduced an amount such as to enable the flange 11 to confront the Web 7 and lie substantially in the plane of the free edges of the flanges 5 and 6 when the parts are assembled, the screw 16 may be inserted through the opening 17 and threaded into the nut member 15. Should the screw be too long, it may be cut and burnished. As the screw is threaded into the part 15, the free end of the flange 10 forms a fulcrum about which the member 9 may rock so as to enable the flange 11 to clamp the finger loop 2 between itself and the web 7.

An important characteristic of the invention is that the anchor screw 16 is assembled with the other parts along a line which is parallel to the axis of the finger ring. The members 4, 9 and 16 thus may be assembled on the ring 1 after the latter has been placed in proper position on the wearers finger.

Another important characteristic of the apparatus is that the anchor screw 16 is accommodated between the finger loop 2 and the flange 5 when the parts are assembled. Thus, the flange 5 can be formed to a radius, in relation to the radius of the flange 6, which can adjust the size of a ring by one, two, or more full or half sizes.

The apparatus also lends itself to assembly with a plurality of rings such as is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment the receiver member 4a corresponds to the member 4, but differs from the latter in that the flanges 5a and 6a are of sufficient width to accommodate two finger ring loops 2a and 2b, and the flange 10 of the anchor mem- '4 her 9 has fewer, or perhaps none, of its scored portions removed. The anchor screw 16a must be longer than the screw 16, but in all other respects the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the apparatus previously described.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 comprises a receiver member 4b which differs from the receiver 4 in that the receiver 4b has a radially outer flange or tab 6d which has a considerably shorter arcuate length than the corresponding flange 6 of the receiver 4. The short arcuate length of the flange 6b makes it possible to utilize the ring guard shown in FIGS. 5-7 on a ring 112 having a tapering loop or shank 20. In all other respects, however, the receiver 4b corresponds to the receiver 4, and corresponding parts are identified by corresponding reference characters.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 includes a clamp member 9b which corresponds substanitally to the clamp member 9 previously disclosed. The principal difference between the two embodiments is that the clamp member 9b has a flange 11b which carries at its lower or radially outer edge a flange or tab 11 similar to the tab 612.

The assembly of the modified ring guard with the ring 1b is the same as that described earlier, with the exception that the tabs or flanges 6b and 1112 may be rolled by the jeweler or other fitter about the lower edge of the shank 20, as is best illustrated in FIG. 7. Thus, the guard will be clamped securely to the ring 1b and the size of the loop opening of the ring will be reduced.

FIG. 8 discloses the ring guard of FIGS. 6-7 applied to two rings, 1c and 1d, the differences between the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 being that the flange 5 in the latter embodiment has a greater axial length; the flange 10 has fewer, or none, of its scored sections removed; and the screw 16a is longer than the screw 16.

FIGS. 9, l0 and 11, disclose an embodiment which is the same as that disclosed in FIGS. 5-7 except that in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-11 the differences in the radii of the inner and outer flanges 5c and 6b of the receiver member 40 are more pronounced. The flange 6b is formed on a radius corresponding substantially to the outside radius of the loop 2 of the ring 1, but the flange 5c is formed on a radius of infinite length. The flange 50, therefore, is chordal, or substantially chordal, rather than arcuate. In all other respects, the two embodiments are identical.

The ring guard shown in FIGS. 9-11 may be applied either to rings having nontapering shanks, such as the ring 1, or to rings having tapering shanks like the ring 1b. In either event, when the guard is applied to a ring the flange 5c is accommodated within the ring loop so as to diminish the size of the latter.

FIG. 12 discloses a ring guard like that disclosed in FIGS. 9-11 applied to two rings, the differences being that the flange 5c in the FIG. 12 embodiment is somewhat longer than the corresponding flange of the FIG. 9 embodiment; the screw 16a is longer than the screw 16; and fewer, or none, of the scored portions of the flange 10 are removed.

This disclosure is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive of the invention. The invention is defined in the claims.

'I claim:

1. A finger ring guard comprising a ring receiver member having first and second flanges spaced by a web, said flanges projecting from opposite edges of said web toward the same side thereof; a ring clamp member having substantially mutually normal first and second flanges one of which confronts said web, said receiver and clamp members being respectively separate elements adapted to be separably joined; and anchor means including a third and separate element directly interconnecting said one of said flanges of said clamp member and said web for separably maintaining said members in assembled relation with one another and in fixed relation with a finger ring.

2. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said second flange of said clamp member has a width corresponding substantially to the width of and is nested with one of the flanges of said receiver member.

3. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein the second flange of said clamp member is of such width as to enable said clamp member to be received between the flanges of said receiver member.

4. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein one of the flanges of said receiver member is arcuate and the other of said flanges is chordal.

5. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein both of the flanges of said receiver member are arcuate and are formed on different radii.

6. The construction set forth in claim 5 wherein the second flange of said clamp member is arcuate and is formed on a radius corresponding substantially to the radius of one flange of said receiver member.

7. The construction set forth in claim 5 wherein said receiver member has an opening therein through which said third element passes, said opening being located closer to the flange having the larger radius than to the flange having the smaller radius.

8. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein the flanges of said receiver member are of substantially equal width, and wherein said one flange of said clamp member has a width which corresponds substantially to the spacing between the flanges of said receiver member, said second flange of said clamp member having a width greater than the width of the flanges of said receiver member, said second flange of said clamp member being provided with means enabling its width to be reduced to a width corresponding substantially to that of the flanges of said receiver member.

9. An assembly comprising at least one finger ring loop; a receiver member within which said loop is received, said receiver member having radially inner and outer, spaced apart flanges joined by a web; a clamp member having a first flange nested with said inner flange and abutting said web to provide a fulcrum and a second flange substantially parallel to said web; and anchor means adjustably securing said members to each other, said anchor means acting on said receiver and clamp members and urging the clamp member to rock about said fulcrum whereby said ring loop is clamped between said web and said second flange.

10. The assembly set forth in claim 9 wherein said anchor means comprises a threaded screw extending through an opening formed in a selected one of said web and said second flange and in threaded engagement with a keeper element carried by a selected one of said second flange and said web, respectively.

11. The assembly set forth in claim 10 wherein said threaded screw is located between said inner flange of said receiver member and said ring loop.

12. The assembly set forth in claim 9 wherein the radially inner and outer flanges of said receiver member are arcuate.

13. The assembly set forth in claim 12 wherein said inner and outer flanges are formed on different radii.

14. The assembly set forth in claim 13 wherein said inner flange is formed on a larger radius than said outer flange.

15. The assembly set forth in claim 9 wherein said radially outer flange is arcuate and said radially inner flange is chordal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,787,142 1/1954 Axel 63--15.6 2,966,048 4/1958 Goossev 63-156 2,579,856 12/1951 Pollard et al. 63-15.6

FOREIGN PATENTS 805,319 5/1951 Germany.

F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner 

